Gwyneth Paltrow's breakfast nook makes smart use of dead space in the kitchen – it's an efficient space where mornings begin

Gwyneth Paltrow's design sensibilities epitomize quiet luxury, with clean lines and sleek silhouettes dominating her interiors. Her breakfast corner follows suit, and we are enamored.

In a clip recently shared to her Instagram page, we can see Paltrow's spacious breakfast nook features a long, wood dining table, a mix of bench seating and individual chairs, and an elegant lighting fixture illuminating the space alongside the large, floor-to-ceiling window.

The mixture of natural, rustic elements and cool glass and metal materials is modern rustic at its finest. Additionally, the large table makes excellent use of what may otherwise be dead space in a large kitchen.

When considering kitchen-diner ideas, experts say that there are many factors to keep in mind in terms of layout and the space's inhabitants.

'Start by thinking how you’ll use your kitchen,' says Richard Davonport, managing Director at Davonport. 'Is it the place where you’ll eat all your meals – including entertaining – or just breakfast? Is it part of an open-plan living area – does the design need to work with existing furniture or soft furnishings? Is it going to be a place where friends congregate over a relaxed coffee or pre-dinner drinks (if it’s the latter, you might want to think about a drinks cabinet)? All these considerations – along with the space you have available – will make a difference to the type of seating that you choose.'

Davonport says that a breakfast nook like Paltrow's is a wonderful choice for large groups, providing ample room for gathering.

'In many properties, the kitchen is the heart of the home – it’s here where families start the day, sitting down to breakfast before heading off to school or work,' Davonport states. 'A breakfast nook with benches or stools – nestled next to a breakfast station, perhaps – is a great way to make busy mornings more efficient. Ideal if you don’t have the room for a table with chairs – stools and benches can be pushed neatly under a table when you’re not using them. This can be a great spot for homework, too – and if this involves afterschool snacks, it’s worth making sure this seating is easy to keep clean.'

When it comes to seats, Davonport recommends coordinating chairs and benches with the table for a cohesive look.

'Whether you have a spacious dining kitchen or your kitchen transitions into your open plan living area, you may want to choose a dining furniture that complement your handcrafted kitchen,' he explains. 'This could mean dining chairs in the same wood as your kitchen, a coordinating painted finish or a contrasting look. Think about tying your dining chair design in with the stools at the island – or using the same fabric or leather upholstery on your window seat. Bringing your look together with a few carefully-chosen touches will ensure your kitchen has a considered look and feel.'

We recommend mixing and matching chairs and benches for a slightly more eclectic look, or a completely uniform set of chairs for a traditional appearance.